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Access Your Account The Hidden Environmental Impact of Internet Infrastructure
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You tap out a quick “thanks" email, scroll through Instagram, binge-watch the latest Netflix series, and join a video call with your camera on. These everyday online activities seem harmless, but they quietly contribute to the environmental impact of internet usage. The internet’s carbon footprint is expanding rapidly, and most people have no idea they’re part of the problem.
From data centers consuming massive amounts of electricity to underwater cables disrupting marine ecosystems, our digital lives leave environmental footprints that extend far beyond our screens. With over 4.1 billion internet users worldwide—more than half the global population—these individual digital actions accumulate into significant environmental impacts [1].
Our digital impact
The Growing Carbon Footprint
According to research from The Shift Project, the internet and its supporting infrastructure currently account for approximately 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions [2]. This is similar to the aviation industry’s global emissions, and digital emissions are projected to double by 2025.
If we divide the estimated 1.7 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from digital technologies among all internet users globally, each person would be responsible for about 414kg (912 lbs) of carbon dioxide annually. That’s equivalent to driving a car for over 1,000 miles [1].
But what exactly creates this sizeable carbon footprint? Several factors contribute:
The Power-Hungry Data Centers
Behind every website, app, and cloud service are massive data centers—warehouse-sized facilities with servers that store and process the world’s digital information. These centers require enormous amounts of electricity to run and cool their equipment.
Data centers in the US account for 2% of the country’s total electricity use. Globally, they consume about 200 terawatt hours (TWh) annually [1]. While many major tech companies like Google and Microsoft are transitioning to renewable energy to power their data centers, many facilities still rely heavily on fossil fuels.
Energy-Intensive Transmission Networks
The Internet depends on vast networks of cables, routers, and other equipment to transmit data worldwide. These networks span continents and oceans, connecting users to data centers and each other.
Using a phone over a mobile network is at least twice as energy-intensive as using it over Wi-Fi [1]. So those TikTok videos you watch while commuting have a larger carbon footprint than the ones you enjoy at home.
Device Manufacturing and E-Waste
The environmental impact starts before you even turn on your device. Manufacturing smartphones, laptops, and tablets requires extensive mining for rare minerals, energy-intensive production processes, and global shipping.
Extending the life of your computer and monitor from four to six years could prevent the equivalent of 190kg of carbon emissions [3]. Unfortunately, the rapid pace of technological advancement encourages frequent device upgrades, which generates mountains of electronic waste.
Hidden cost underwater
The Water Footprint
Carbon emissions aren’t the internet’s only environmental impact. Digital activities also substantially increase water consumption, but this is rarely discussed.
Data centers use water in two main ways:
- Cooling systems: Many data centers use water-cooling systems to prevent overheating.
- Electricity generation: Producing electricity, mainly from fossil fuels or nuclear power, requires significant water.
According to a Yale University study, increased internet usage during the COVID-19 pandemic consumed enough water to fill more than 300,000 Olympic-size swimming pools [4].
Digital real estate
Land Use Impact
The physical infrastructure supporting our digital lives requires substantial land resources:
- Data centers: These facilities occupy large plots of land, especially as demand for cloud services grows.
- Transmission infrastructure: Cell towers, submarine cable landing stations, and other transmission equipment need physical space.
- Energy production: The power plants that generate electricity for internet infrastructure require land, particularly renewable energy sources like solar and wind farms.
The Future of Sustainable Digital Infrastructure
While individual actions help, systemic changes in the tech industry will have the most significant impact. Several promising developments could make our digital lives more sustainable:
Renewable Energy Adoption
Major tech companies are increasingly powering their operations with renewable energy. Google, Apple, and Microsoft have all committed to carbon neutrality or carbon negativity.
Energy-Efficient Technologies
Innovations in server design, cooling systems, and data transmission are making internet infrastructure more energy-efficient. The International Telecommunication Union reports that despite rising internet traffic and workloads, data center energy use has flatlined in recent years due to improved efficiency [1].
Industry Transparency and Regulation
Environmental campaign groups are pushing for greater transparency from tech companies about their environmental impact. The UN’s International Telecommunication Union has set a target for the IT industry to reduce its emissions by 45% over the next decade [1].
Policymakers are beginning to require digital companies to be transparent about their products’ environmental footprints and implement measures to reduce their impact.
Reduce your digital footprint
Join the Movement for a Greener Internet
The environmental impact of our digital lives can no longer be ignored. By making small changes to our online habits, we can collectively reduce the internet’s carbon footprint while still enjoying its benefits.
Remember, these changes don’t require giving up the conveniences of modern technology—just using them more mindfully:
- Turn off your camera during video calls when possible
- Stream in standard definition instead of high definition
- Send fewer unnecessary emails
- Keep your devices longer before upgrading
- Choose environmentally responsible tech companies
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As consumers become more aware of these issues, tech companies will face more pressure to prioritize sustainability. By making conscious choices about our digital habits, we can help create a more sustainable future for technology and the planet.
Find Eco-Friendly Internet Service Providers in Your Area
Want to make your internet connection more environmentally friendly? Many internet service providers now offer green options, from renewable energy commitments to carbon offset programs.
Enter your zip code here to find eco-conscious internet service providers in your area. Take the first step toward reducing your digital carbon footprint today!
Sources
[1] Bbc.com. “Why Your Internet Habits Are Not as Clean as You Think."
[3] Edwebcontent.ed.ac.uk. “Carbon Emissions Implications"
[4] News.yale.edu. “Surge in digital activity has hidden environmental costs"
[5] Foundation.mozilla.org. “The Internet’s Environmental Cost is Literally Underwater."